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CITY OF ITHACA
COMMUNITY POLICE BOARD
120 EAST CLINTON STREET (607) 272.9973
ITHACA, NEW YORK 14850-5689 EXTENSION 310
MINUTES: Ithaca Community Police Board
PLACE: Second Floor Conference Room,City Hall
TIME & DATE: June 24, 1994 at 2:30 p.m.
PRESENT: Commissioners Nelson,Sarachan,Seligmann,Teasley.
Chief McEwen, Deputy Chief David Barnes,Alderperson Shenk.
Wendy Skinner from the Ithaca Journal.
ABSENT: Commissioners Edmonds,Johnson, Lappin.
1. Commissioner Seligmann called the meeting to order and thanked Commissioner
Sarachan for assuming the duties of Chair in her absence.
2. Approve Minutes of Meeting of May 27, 1994: The minutes of the May 27, 1994
meeting were approved with the following revisions: Under #5, Report of the Chief:
Chief McEwen noted that he and PBA President Gray met with Rita Linger from
Community Dispute Resolution Center regarding the Community Police Advocates
training program; and under 7, Old Business: Delete Commissioner Teasley;
Commissioner Sarachan gave the Community Police Board a brief report on the by-laws
meeting he had with City Attorney Chuck Guttman, noting that for the time being the
Community Police Board has to abide by the open meeting laws; and under 4.
Comments from the Public: Mr. Cohen felt that if Ms. Sams' complaint was not
formalized then it should not have been handled in the media the way it was.
3. Report from Common Council: Alderperson Shenk had no report from Common
Council. She, however, expressed concern over the police officers who attended the
recent Common Council meeting. Alderperson Shenk suggested that the Community
Police Board think about different ways of offering recognition to the officers as the
officers seemed to feel they were not appreciated. Discussion followed about the letters
of appreciation the officers receive and how the Community Police Board also receives
copies of these. Commissioner Seligmann noted that she likes to send cards to
retired/promoted officers on behalf of the Community Police Board and asked to be
kept updated on any retirements/promotions.
4. Comments from the Public: There were no members of the public present.
Community Police Board Meeting Minutes Page 2
June 24, 1994
5. Report of the Chief: Chief McEwen noted there is a lot of public discussion about what
the police should be doing - that everyone is demanding the police to do more things
and that more officers are needed, which would mean more taxes to City residents.
Chief McEwen noted that when he applied for the federal grant for three neighborhood
officers, Common Council agreed to match funds for the officers. However, the City
did not receive the federal grant and now he would like to ask Common Council to
release funds that were set aside to match the federal grant to hire one officer for the
neighborhood oriented policing program. Discussion followed about the PBA and how
they would react to this. Chief McEwen said he has had preliminary discussions with
the PBA President and does not foresee any problems with the Union on this issue. The
Community Police Board felt this was a very good idea and offered Chief McEwen their
support. Chief McEwen will make Common Council aware of the Community Police
Board's support to release funds for an additional neighborhood officer.
Chief McEwen noted that he and Officer Bill Finnerty were invited to the White House
to attend a briefing by the Clinton administration seeking support of their local crime
bill. This bill was presented to various police chiefs and other officials throughout the
country. This bill is a 22 billion dollar proposal which would give the country a 20%
increase in police officers which could amount to 14 new officers in Ithaca. Discussion
followed about this bill and how the ultimate responsibility for funding comes back to
the locality.
Chief McEwen noted that he met with Mayor Nichols and City Attorney Guttman to
discuss enacting a local law or ordinance to seize property related with drug activity.
Chief McEwen reported that he recently hired Michael P. Watkins, a lateral transfer
from the Dryden Police Department.
6. Comments from PBA President: PBA President Gray called to offer his apologies for not
being able to attend this meeting.
7. Old Business: The Community Police Board endorsed "A Guide To A Better
Understanding Between You and the Ithaca Police Dept." with a few minor revisions.
Commissioner Seligmann agreed to be the liaison to the Ithaca Police Benevolent
Association.
Discussion followed about the process of implementing by-laws for the Community
Police Board. Commissioner's attendance (or lack of) was discussed and will be
incorporated into the by-laws. This topic will be further discussed at the July meeting.
8. New Business: Commissioner Teasley noted that she has agreed to be the liaison to the
Gay and Lesbian Task Force and will do a short article on the Community Police Board
for their newsletter.
Commissioner Seligmann noted that she, Commissioner Edmonds and Chief McEwen
have participated in the training for the Community Police Advocates. Chief McEwen
noted that he was quite impressed with the group that has volunteered to be
Community Police Advocates..
Community Police Board Meeting Minutes Page 3
June 24, 1994
9. Adjournment: The next meeting of the Community Police Board is scheduled to be held
on July 22, 1994 at 2:30 p.m. in the second floor conference room of City Hall. The
Community Police Board adjourned into Executive Session at 3:55 p.m. Alderperson
Shenk asked if she could attend the Executive Session. Discussion followed. The
Community Police Board did not feel uncomfortable with this but felt this would have
to be on a meeting to meeting basis depending on the agenda for Executive Session.
CPB/lac